Chapter 307: A Cultivator's Second World

Ever since Wu Yuan acquired the voidrealm jade, impatience had gnawed at him, and he had a strong urge to test it out immediately. However, his recent brush with death had left him wary, prompting him to swiftly depart with Qiong Sea King in tow.

Typically, most raiding parties like the one he encountered were made up of loose cultivators. After ransacking through their belongings, he found no evidence of their affiliation with any large factions. Still, caution ensured a 10,000-year voyage.

Unlike the tiny Middle Land, the Redmoon Immortal Continent sprawled across an expanse of unimaginable magnitude, making up an entire spacetime plane. According to the information he gleaned from the immortal slip, its diameter stretched into the tens of billions of li.

A continent spanning tens of billions of li may not seem too large compared to the cosmos of my previous life. Just one light year is already longer than it. But in reality, for a continent with a diameter of billions of li, the thickness of its landmass should also be around tens of millions of li. And in terms of total matter, it could potentially rival that of a galaxy.

The solar system had a maximum diameter of over a light year, but the sun accounted for more than 99% of its total matter, and the sun’s diameter was merely two million li!

The two were simply not on the same scale.

How many powerhouses would such a vast world produce? It was hard to tell. And the Redmoon Immortal Continent was merely the tip of the iceberg that was the Greenridge Macrocosm, nothing but one of the many spacetime planes that made up the macrocosm.

Even the realm master was unfamiliar with the name of this immortal continent.

Based on the intel provided by this raiding party, Fengchuan City is not one of the relatively prosperous cities on the immortal continent. Amethyst Cradle cultivators are likely the strongest presence there, which is to be expected.

After reading through the jade slips and books, Wu Yuan made a deduction.

Fengchuan City, spanning a million li radius of land, was home to tens of billions of humans. To many mortals, it was already an immortal paradise on land. If an Amethyst Cradle Cultivator only sought a life of relaxation and pleasure, they could establish their own haven on the vast immortal continent in the macrocosm.

On the immortal continent, Amethyst Cradles could be considered powerhouses, and were worshiped as beings on the level of immortals and devils by countless mortals. However, in the vast macrocosm, Amethyst Cradle cultivators were nothing special.

With my current strength, it would prove troublesome if I encountered a relatively strong Golden Core Superior. I must tread carefully.

Wu Yuan had a clear understanding of his own strength.

While he could fend for himself on the immortal continent, overconfidence could quickly lead to his downfall. Who knew when a super powerhouse might pop up and squash him to death?

In such a vast world, communication is also an important need among cultivators.

Wu Yuan pondered silently.

Transportation on the Blue Planet in his previous life had evolved from domesticated horses to airplanes, then starships. Communication evolved from letters and telegrams to the phone, the internet, and then the metaverse. All these advancements were driven by the need to share information and resources quickly.

The same went for immortal cultivators.

Teleportation arrays provide a swift means for cultivators to travel between different regions and also expedite the transfer of treasures. This level of spatial manipulation bears resemblance to the experimental 'Star Gate' and 'Wormhole' technologies of my previous life.

Wu Yuan mused silently.

And this voidrealm is in essence a superior version of the metaverse.

Wu Yuan’s gaze settled on the crystal stone in his hand.

The Redmoon Immortal Realm was a high-grade voidrealm that served as a platform for countless cultivators all over the Redmoon Immortal Continent to network with each other, even if they were physically billions of li apart.

With a mental command, a stream of Wu Yuan's consciousness entered the voidrealm jade.

...

Soon, Wu Yuan materialized soundlessly in a personal hall, similar to the one in the Middle Land Immortal Hall. Snow white robes automatically draped over his body.

"Greetings, esteemed seeker of immortality," a gentle voice greeted him. Numerous light particles converged, and a radiant maiden in white robes, around 18 or 19 years old, materialized on one side of the hall.

Wu Yuan's eyebrows creased in surprise.

"The voidrealm has identified that this is your first visit," the girl said with a smile. "I am your immortal realm guide. You may call me Little Moon."

Little Moon?

Wu Yuan pondered.

"As per the immortal realm’s regulations, each user is required to confirm their physical appearance, facial features, name, etc on their first visit," Little Moon continued. "Please be reminded that your true identity cannot be confirmed by the voidrealm, thus we advise all users to provide information that closely mirrors reality, as discrepancies may impact future experiences within the voidrealm."

Wu Yuan nodded in understanding, already familiar with this. In the macrocosm, a large-scale voidrealm that encompassed an entire immortal continent maintained a close connection to the physical world. Most users chose to use their authentic identities, akin to the digital identity system in the metaverse of his previous life.

However, this voidrealm operated on a far more sophisticated level and authenticated users via Soul Force, ensuring that one could not create alternate accounts. Each cultivator possessed a unique Soul Force, rendering it impossible to assume a different identity without detection even if they possessed a different body.

The Middle Land Immortal Hall is a low-grade voidrealm, so the realm master was able to manipulate the voidrealm jade.

Wu Yuan mused inwardly.

But replicating it for a voidrealm that encompasses an entire immortal continent?

Even an Archeldritch would struggle to create a new identity.

Without delay, he created an avatar closely resembling himself in reality, only making subtle alterations to his appearance.

"This is a gentle reminder that should you desire minor adjustments to your facial features and physique, you may do so for a fee of 10,000 catties of ethercrystal," Little Moon informed him ‘considerately’.

Wu Yuan’s cheek twitched. 10,000 catties of ethercrystal for a facelift? What a rip-off!

"Please state your name." Little Moon inquired.

"Li Xia," Wu Yuan said. This was a name he had thought of long ago, one that held great significance.

Xia was the dawn of civilization in the Blue Planet's ancient history. The same character was also found in the Summerpeak World! [1]

He left behind the Blue Planet and Summerpeak, embarking on a journey into the unknown to seek immortality.

Furthermore, the place I transmigrated to in the Middle Land was Li City.

[2]

Wu Yuan's gaze held a touch of nostalgia.

My martial arts journey began in Li City. Now, I shall commence my cultivation in the vast macrocosm with the name Li Xia.

This time, the realm master won’t be able to criticize my naming skills.

Wu Yuan chuckled inwardly.

"Congratulations, Li Xia! You may now begin your journey in the Redmoon Immortal Realm," Little Moon smiled, "Please familiarize yourself with the 'Newcomer's Guide', 'Immortal Realm Rules', 'Introduction to the Immortal Realm'... In total, there are eight virtual immortal slips."

"Also, here’s a gentle reminder that as a first-time visitor, you are entitled to ninth-tier privileges for free, valid for one year."

"Ninth-tier privileges are the most basic level, which limits the number of features you may access in the immortal realm. To upgrade your privileges, please visit the Immortal Realm Grand Tower in any of the fifth-tier cities across the immortal continent to top up your account with ethercrystal," Little Moon explained. "Lastly, I wish you a fruitful cultivation journey in the Redmoon Immortal Realm. May you swiftly overcome your tribulations and attain immortality. Have a pleasant day!"

Little Moon’s figure then shimmered and dissolved into pinpricks of light. Before Wu Yuan, eight virtual immortal slips materialized, their crystalline beauty giving them a dreamlike quality.

Wu Yuan began to peruse each immortal slip with keen interest. Thanks to the realm master’s intel, Wu Yuan already had a basic understanding of voidrealms.

Hence, in just a quarter of an hour, Wu Yuan understood the ins and outs of the Redmoon Immortal Realm. It far surpassed the Middle Land Immortal Hall, offering a myriad of opportunities for cultivation and self-improvement.

One can undergo trials in the voidrealm? The immortal realm can simulate an environment and its corresponding hazardous conditions from the real world, allowing cultivators to test their mettle and fortitude.

There are lifelike mortal cities, and cultivators who enter them have all six senses and memories blocked, allowing them to immerse themselves in the mundane world. Only when they leave would they regain their memories.

There are simulation workshops for pill refining and artifact forging. In the real world, each failure costs numerous precious materials. But in the voidrealm, one can fail and try again as many times as they wish. Once they are confident in their chances of success, they can then proceed with the actual crafting in the real world.

There are breakthrough simulations that allow one to perceive the entire process of a high-level cultivator’s breakthrough, thereby assisting them with their own breakthrough?

Wu Yuan was shocked.

There are specific recruitment venues where one can hire or join fellow cultivators across the immortal continent to take part in joint expeditions...

There are specific knowledge hubs where one can gather information throughout the immortal continent...

There is the Seven Star Luminaries Tower, where countless cultivators from all corners of the immortal continent vie for supremacy, and only the brightest geniuses are able to conquer it...

There’s also the Cosmic Arena, where only the strongest survive to the end of a series of bloody matches.

There are also artifact shops...

Wu Yuan found himself overwhelmed by the vast array of offerings. Now this was the world of immortal cultivators that he had envisioned.

The path to immortality was not a primitive pursuit, the evolution of life did not equate to abandoning technology.

The immortal path is about harnessing the most fundamental principles of heaven and earth to craft the most exquisite and fulfilling life.

Wu Yuan felt a newfound clarity.

The voidrealm was a cultivator’s second world!

According to the realm master, such immortal continent voidrealms are still not the top voidrealms. There exist voidrealms even more wondrous.

Yet, for Wu Yuan, the Redmoon Immortal Realm was grand enough to both broaden his horizons and spark high hopes for this second world of cultivators.

"A high-grade voidrealm comes with all sorts of features. Unfortunately, it’s pay-to-unlock." Wu Yuan smiled bitterly.

Privileges were categorized into ten tiers. At the bottom, the tenth tier allowed only basic navigation, and no payment was required.

Moving up to the ninth tier granted access to various functions. But relatively premium functions such as pill refining and equipment forging simulations could only be unlocked in higher tiers.

Ninth-tier privileges for 100 years cost ten catties of ethercrystal. Eighth-tier privileges for 100 years cost 50 catties of ethercrystal. Seventh-tier privileges for 100 years cost 250 catties of ethercrystal.

A hefty price indeed!

Wu Yuan finally comprehended why the raiding party possessed only one voidrealm jade. With such steep prices, it was unattainable for poorer qi refiners. Or perhaps, for many weaker qi refiners, it was unnecessary for them to enter the voidrealm at all.

Yet, it can accommodate the entirety of the immortal continent plane, allowing countless cultivators to enter simultaneously and communicate seamlessly despite being separated by vast distances. The expenses incurred to operate the Redmoon Immortal Realm must be substantial. It’s impossible to make it free of charge.

Just as the Middle Land constructed its own modest Middle Land Immortal Hall, most factions in the macrocosm would also establish smaller voidrealms that only encompassed their territory.

While the functions of such voidrealms were limited, fewer expenses were incurred. And most importantly, they could maintain their privacy.

The individual behind this Redmoon Immortal Realm should be none other than Immortal Redmoon. Every action taken here is witnessed by him.

Wu Yuan’s mind drifted.

Some powerful cultivators may not be willing to have their every move scrutinized.

But I am a mere ninth-stage Qi Sea cultivator, an insignificant fry. Even if I stand right before Immortal Redmoon, he won’t spare me a glance.

Wu Yuan smiled wryly.

To be considered a weakling was a gift in its own right. No one would take notice of him.

With the limitations of ninth-tier privileges, most functions were inaccessible to me. However, I can still access the first floor of the library.

He only had a one-year free trial period and didn’t wish to squander it. He stored the virtual immortal slips with a wave of his hand.

Then, Wu Yuan felt his surroundings transform. Suddenly, he was no longer within his personal hall, but out in a vibrant city.

The entire place was packed with pedestrians, and numerous shops lined each street. Above, flying boats zipped through the sky.

As Wu Yuan observed the throngs of people adorned in various attire. He noted that some resembled demonic beasts, perhaps spirit beasts. All individuals emanated the same first-stage Golden Core aura.

Yet, amidst the urban sprawl, a towering skyscraper that stretched into the clouds caught his attention, its grand facade bearing the title Twin Jade Library.

It seems I’ve been assigned to Twin Jade City. This means that my current physical location in the real world is under the jurisdiction of the second-tier city, Twin Jade City?

The immortal continent was vast, but the area within the virtual Redmoon Immortal Realm wasn’t as massive. Apart from some individually established subrealms, there were only hundreds of cities in total.

Each city in the voidrealm represented the territory of a second-tier city in the Redmoon Immortal Continent. Upon entering the Redmoon Immortal Realm for the first time, one would be assigned to the second-tier city within whose jurisdiction their physical body currently resided.

A second-tier city commands a territory of one billion li in width at minimum. Such a vast place is naturally home to a large population and numerous cultivators.

With that, he crossed the threshold into the library.

1. Refers to the Xia dynasty (夏), the first dynasty in China. Summerpeak is translated from Xia Shan (夏山). ☜

2. The word Li (离) means ‘to leave’ ☜